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N5 Modem G. R. KRESS. TUBULAR TRIPOD BRAGE FOR LIGHTNING RODS. 155595543. Patented 555.111.1597.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE R. IIRESS, OE PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO D. IV. BEARING, OE SAME PLACE.

TUBULAR TRIPODBRACE FOR LIGHTNING-RODS..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,548, dated December 14, 1897'.

Application filed August 21, 1897. Serial No. 649,051. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern.:

Be it known that I, GEORGE R. KRESS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tubular Tripod- Braces for Lightning-Rods; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tubular tripod-braces for lightning-rods.

IIeretofore it has been customary in the placing of lightning-rods upon buildings to construct a brace or stiff top section by securing three or more solid rods together in a suitable manner to form a tripod and then connecting the lightning-rod to the brace; but my object is to construct a tubular tripodbrace from a single piece of metal, thereby making it strong, durable, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Vith the above objects in view the invention finally consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described in detail.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the different views, in which- Figure l is a side view of my improved copper tubular tripod brace with connection. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, taken in section on the line X X. Eig. 3 is a side section view of the tubular tripod-brace with a made plug or bur inserted therein for the purpose of making connections with the cable when the brace is to be constructed of iron instead of copper. Eig. 4L isa ferrule plug or bur which may also be used with the iron tripod for making connection with the cable.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates a tube having the legs 2, 3, and i formed thereon, and may be either of copper or iron, as desired, and in forming this tube it may either be made by providing a suitable tube and slitting' it up the required distance with a saw, so as to form the three legs, which are then spread out, or it may be made by providing a suitable strip of copper slit up at the required distance to form the legs and thence forming the body portion into a tube and soldering the seam, the latter method being preferable when it is to be made of copper, and when made of copper the branch or other form of point 5 is fitted into the upper end of the tubular body and the conductingcable G passed up through the body and connected to the point, as shown at Fig. l. By making the brace in this manner and ineasing the end of the cable therein a much neater appearance is obtained. Should it be desired to construct the brace of an iron tube, either one of the bur-plugs 7 and Sis driven into the tube at its base, where the legs branch out. The cable is then connected to the bur, thereby making complete connection.

Having thus fully shown and described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A brace for lightning-rods comprising an upright tube incasing the end of the conductor-cable and legs at its lower end whereby it is secured to the building, substantially as set forth.

2. Abrace for lightning-rods comprising an upright tube incasing the end of the conductor-cable with legs formed at its lower end whereby it is secured to the building, substantially as set forth.

3. A tripod-brace for lightning-rods which comprises an upright tubular body having legs formed at its lower end, said body and legs being formed of one piece, substantially as set forth.

fl. A tripod-brace for lightning-rods, which comprises an upright tubular body having legs formed at its lower end and a bur-plug secured within the said tubular body whereby connection is made with the conductor-cable, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix' my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE R.

l/Iitnesses:

JOHN GEoE'rZiNe-EE, A. SIMS. 

